The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-23
THE FIELD OF LITERATURE,
New Publ,cations.


Howard, jr., is q large and handsomely bound
quarto volume published by Hubbard Brothers,
Philadelphia 1t Is related by those who claim
TO know that the work prepared by Mr..
Howard in two weeks, the object of this haste
being to get the book upon the market ahead of
Rev. Lyman A bbott's biography of the Ply mouth
pastor. The internal evidences of the volume
favor the truthfulness of this story. 1t is just
about such a life of Beecher a might be written
in two weeks. 1t bears marks of haste on every
page; IL is "scrappy;" it IS made ND in part from
biographies written by Mrs. Stowe and others,
and from newspaper sketches, some of them,
doubtless, having been originally from Mr. How
ards pen. This patchwork IS further diversified
by the authors personal s''recollectionst OF what
Beecher thought and believed, and with great
deal of gossip more or less relevant to the sub
ject. There is of course, much information in
the book, and several chapters quite enter
tanning but in proper sense can 1t be re-
garded life of the great preacher. That
work will not be written in two weeks 1t may
be added that in spite of the hasta the Abbott
biography was issued first, its author having the
advantage over Howard sT having written his
work ten years ago, and needing only TO add
supplementary chapter to bring it up to date
''Saracinesca" is the title of f. Marion Craw-
ford's latest novel; The scene is laid in Rome
IL the years 1866, and the story introduces the
reader into the fashionable life and the political
and domestic intrigues Of the Roman capital
during that period 1t is thoroughly Italian in
of fashionable frlvolity and personal and po-
litcal unrest which prevailed at Rome IN those
years pervades the entire work. Saracihesca is
q Roman nobleman, fashionable and fasclnat-
ing bachelor whom all women love-. He is the
hero OF the novel Corona d'A5trardante is the
young and lovely wife of an old man who imag-
ines she loves him. when, in fact, she is only
true to him from a sense of duty and self re-
spect. She and Saracinesca love one another
at first without knowing it, but later on con-
sciously. There is vulgar intrigue. In due
time fortune favors them in way that not
anticip ated, and they together and are
happy. Around this central incident and these
principal characters revolve many minor ones
There is enough political intrigue in the story
give added interest and the style is charming.
New York: Macmillan d Co. Indianapolis
The Bowen Merrill Company Cloth. 432 pages;
price, 81. 90.
Messrs Houghton, Mffin & Co., Boston, have
issued new and complete edition of the works of
Robert Browning. 1t embraces all of Mr..
Brownine's works poetlcal and dramatic, includ
ing all of his latest revisions. the arrangement.
also. is that adopted by the author, so that the
work may, in a sense, be said to have been edit
ed by Mr.. Browning himself. The edition will
form six volumes, the first four of which
now out, and the others will follow in rapid sue
cession. 1t is printed from long primer type,
upon high grade of book paper. and bound in
neat library style, with gilt TOPS The first
volume contains fine steel portrait, engraved
by Wilcox, from recent photograph and the
the first lines of the poems in all the volumes.
The price is ST.. 70 a volume in cloth. and So
volume in handsome style of half calf binding.
For sale by the Bowen-Merrill Company.
The lssest addition to the American Common
wealths series is Connecticut, Study of Com
monwealth Democracy" by Alexander Johnston.
professor of Jurisprudence and political econo-
my in Princeton College. It is not much
compilation Of historical facts and dates as it is
Of he doua &c T,r
pose says the author, is to present certain feat
ures in the development OF Connecticut which
have influenced the general development of the
the United States. These features embrace
the town system, local government the
development of individual liberty and
energy, etc. The work is valuable
tribution to this branch of American history.
Boston: Houehton, Mifflin 6 Co. Indianapolis:
The Bowen-Merrill Company. Cloth, gilt top,
LIS.
Final Memorials of Henry Wadsworth Long
fellow" edited by Samuel Longfeliow, is an in
teresting addition to the worlds knowledge OF
the dead poet 1t contains the journals and
during the last fifteen years of
his life, with many letters of an earlier date and
some newly discovered ones, none of the mater
ial having been included in his life already pub
lshed. The book begins with two fragments
from early journals-the first going back to Mr..
Longfellow's first youthful visit to Europe. An
appendix intended for the life, closes the book,
with a comprehensive photography, followed by
a chapter of genealogy and some miscellaneous
matter. Readers of the life of Longfellow will
wish to read this volume, which deals so large
ly with his personal life. Boston: Ticknor 81
Co. Indianapolis: The Bowen Merrill Company.
''Rural Hours" by Susan Fenimore Cooper. is
q record in journal form of the little events and
changes which make ND the course of the seasons
in rural life The author spent great deal of
time in the country and open air studying nat
ure, commencing with her in her visible forms
The results of these observations are here set
down, together with many little events and Incl
dents. unimportant in themselves, but helping
10 complete the picture. As study of nature
and stilllife in the country it is unique aud at
tractive. The author has delightful style.
Boston: Houghton, Mifln & Co. Indianapolis
The Bowen-Merrill Company. Cloth. 81 70.
William r. Jenkins. of New York. has just is
sued Famine" the first volume of his new edi-
ton in French of Victor hugo's Lies Mser-
which is to be completed in five volumes.
The book tas tefully bound in cloth and paper,
with it's new type and excellent paper. is abund-
ant fulhllment of the promise made that the
edition, while cheap, III price, should be other
wise first class. The work itself is of the
great books OF the century. and readers of
French are to be congratulated upon the appear
ance Of this new and elegant edition. Paper,
81; cloth, $1.50 The same publisher issues lie
Chen du Capitaine," dog story in French.
Episodes of a Life of Adventure by
Lawrence Oliphant, author of "Haifa. etc.. is
somewhat sketchy but very interesting nara
tive of travel, adventure and personal expert
once in different parts of the world and under
various circumstances. The travels extended
from the far East, including China and Japan,
md all parts of Europe to Canada and the
United States. and the author seemed to be max
ing history or getting the materials for it all the
time. AS book of personal "reminiscences, it is
interesting New York. Harper d
Brothers. Indianapolis The Bowen Merrill
Company.
Random Recollections," by Henry b. Stanton.
is the story of a stirring life AS early anti
slavery agitator, forcibie writer for the press
and public speaker of considerable power, the
author was identified with various i'm portant pub
nc movements. The story Of his experiences in
lighting slavery in the early days of abolitionism
. very interesting and well told. In fact the